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Cody Stamann: Fighting a prospect like Song Yadong a deja vu moment at UFC on ESPN 7

Cody Stamann finds himself in familiar territory in his fight against Song Yadong at UFC on ESPN 7.

WASHINGTON – Song Yadong might be all the hype, but it’s nothing new for [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag].

In his second UFC fight, Stamann took on one of Europe’s top prospects, Tom Duquesnoy, and was able to put a stop to his 12-fight unbeaten run.

Stamann (18-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) finds himself in a familiar situation in his fight against Yadong (15-4 MMA, 4-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC on ESPN 7, since Yadong is another rising prospect.

“Obviously, Song Yadong has a ton of hype behind him, which reminds me so much of the Tom Duquesnoy fight,” Stamann told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “Everything about it: the media, the questions I’m being asked – it’s the same thing. I mean, it’s literally almost like I’m having deja vu and that was the same: 2-1 underdog, fighting a guy who’s supposed to be the best thing since sliced bread. But I think people know by now that Americans are the best. We’re the best at MMA. We just are.”

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Stamann is coming off a unanimous decision win over Alejandro Perez at UFC 235 and is off to a 4-1 start in his UFC career. He has only been stopped once in his career – a submission loss to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 228 – and doesn’t think Yadong will be able to land anything significant on him during the fight.

“Different styles – obviously, Song’s more of a boxer, Tom’s more of a kickboxer, but same thing: both dangerous finishers, both kind of untested when it came to the grappling aspect of MMA,” Stamann said. “I’m a hard guy to hit. I don’t get hit with a lot of big shots. I think in my last fight, I got hit with like three or four significant shots – so good luck landing a right hand on me.”

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Matt Bessette vs. Charles Cheeks III to headline CES MMA 60 in Rhode Island

Former UFC featherweight Matt Bessette is set to compete for the second time since being released from the promotion.

Former UFC featherweight [autotag]Matt Bessette[/autotag] is set to compete for the second time since being released from the promotion.

At CES 60, Bessette (23-9 MMA) will take on [autotag]Charles Cheeks III[/autotag] for the promotion’s vacant featherweight title.

CES 60 takes place Friday Jan. 24 at Twin River Casino in Lincoln, R.I. The main card streams on UFC Fight Pass. No other bouts have been announced for the card at this time.

Bessette, 34, held the CES 145-pound strap from 2016-18. In the summer of 2017, Bessette competed in the main event of the series premiere of “Dana White’s Contender Series.” Initially ruled a first-round TKO loss, Bessette’s fight was deemed a no contest when his opponent Kurt Holobaugh admitted to illegal pre-fight IV use.

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In early 2018, Bessette signed with the UFC. A short-notice replacement in his debut, Bessette lost to Enrique Barzola by unanimous decision. In his sophomore outing, Bessette lost a split decision to Steven Peterson. He was subsequently released by the promotion.

In March, Bessette got back in the win column when he defeated Tim Dooling by unanimous decision at CES MMA 55.

Cheeks (14-7 MMA) has won three out of his most recent four outings. A veteran of Legacy FC, LFA, and Fury FC, Cheeks has picked up six of his wins inside the distance.

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Max Holloway can see himself moving all the way up to middleweight when he’s older

UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway can see himself moving all the way up to 185 pounds when he’s older.

LOS ANGELES – [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] is willing to compete at just about any weight class.

The UFC featherweight champion has a tough time making the 145-pound limit, and certainly sees himself moving up in weight in the future – possibly all the way up to 185 pounds.

“I don’t know about holding belts all at one time, this and that, but nobody really got three yet,” Holloway said at a Thursday media event. “So 170, I could see myself … I just turned 28, I can see myself maybe going to (1)85, being healthy, and getting strong there. I’ve got five, six more years in this sport. Who knows? I might pull a ‘DC’ (Daniel Cormier) on you guys and fight to 40.

“I’m a Polynesian/Hawaiian/Samoan, and I’m probably the smallest Samoan/Hawaiian you guys see. So I think the weight issue is not a problem. This is about getting in the gym, getting the weights, and actually packing on the muscle.”

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Holloway has racked up quite a resume at featherweight. He hasn’t lost at 145 pounds since a unanimous decision setback to Conor McGregor in 2013 and has run through the division since then.

Holloway’s idea of being the best fighter in the world entails competing at whichever weight class includes the top talent. He may have failed in his first attempt to capture the interim lightweight title against Dustin Poirier at UFC 236, but the goal remains the same.

“I want to be the best mixed martial artist in the world, and being the best mixed martial artist is not a guy who stays in his weight and dominates his weight,” Holloway said. “It is someone who’s willing to go at whatever weight. So whatever’s the best guys, whoever’s the best guy in the world … you guys tell me. I’ve got a couple of belts I want to fight for.”

For now, Holloway (21-4 MMA, 17-4 UFC) will look to continue his dominance in the featherweight division, when takes on Alexander Volkanovski (20-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) at UFC 245 on Dec. 14, looking to notch his fourth title defense.

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UFC on ESPN 7 predictions: Overeem or Rozenstruik in heavyweight clash in D.C.?

Check out our staff’s picks for the UFC on ESPN 7 main card in Washington, D.C., featuring Alistair Overeem vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik.

	Overeem vs. Rozenstruik	Calvillo vs. Rodriguez	Rothwell vs. Struve	Kunitskaya vs. Ladd	Stamann vs. Yadong	Font vs. Simon
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2019: 203-123 (62%)	Rozenstruik (56%)	Calvillo (66%)	Rothwell (53%)	Ladd (80%)	Yadong (64%)	Font (51%)
Simon Head @simonhead 2019: 119-65 (65%)	Rozenstruik	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Font
Nolan King @mma_kings 2019: 115-64 (64%)	Overeem	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Ladd	Stamann	Font
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2019: 209-117 (64%)	Overeem	Calvillo	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Font
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2019: 207-119 (64%) 2017 Champion	Rozenstruik	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Kunitskaya	Stamann	Font
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2019: 206-120 (63%) 2018 Champion	Rozenstruik	Calvillo	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Font
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2019: 204-122 (63%)	Overeem	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Ladd	Stamann	Font
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2019: 203-123 (62%) 2014 Champion	Overeem	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Simon
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2019: 203-123 (62%)	Rozenstruik	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Font
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2019: 200-126 (61%)	Overeem	Calvillo	Rothwell	Ladd	Stamann	Font
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2019: 141-69 (60%)	Overeem	Calvillo	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Font
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2019: 193-133 (59%)	Rozenstruik	Rodriguez	Rothwell	Ladd	Yadong	Font
Dave Doyle @davedoylemma 2019: 131-103 (56%)	Overeem	Calvillo	Rothwell	Ladd	Stamann	Font
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2019: 172-154 (53%)	Rozenstruik	Calvillo	Struve	Kunitskaya	Stamann	Simon

The UFC is back in the nation’s capital city this week for the first time since 2011, and heavyweights top the bill.

UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

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In the main event, [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) takes on the unbeaten [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) at heavyweight. The fight is a virtual pick’em with the oddsmakers, and it’s close with our 13 MMA Junkie editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well. Overeem has the slightest possible edge at 7-6 in our picks.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) badly missed weight for her women’s strawweight bout against [autotag]Marina Rodriguez[/autotag] (12-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC), but the fight will go on. Rodriguez is a slight favorite at the sports books, and she has a slight edge at 7-6 in our picks.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag] (36-12 MMA, 6-6 UFC) meets [autotag]Stefan Struve[/autotag] (29-11 MMA, 13-9 UFC) in a battle of heavyweight veterans. Rothwell has a slight betting edge around -150, but he has a massive 12-1 lead in the picks with only one of our staff members taking the 7-foot Struve.

Another picks blowout belongs to [autotag]Aspen Ladd[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in her women’s bantamweight fight against [autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC). Ladd is a -160 favorite, but has an 11-2 lead in the picks.

[autotag]Song Yadong[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 4-0 UFC) is more than a 2-1 favorite in his bantamweight fight against [autotag]Cody Stamann[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC), making him the heaviest favorite on the main card. But Yadong has just a 7-6 lead in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is just a slight favorite against [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) in their bantamweight fight. But Font pulled off a big 11-2 rout in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Rozenstruik (56%), Calvillo (66 percent), Rothwell (53 percent), Ladd (80 percent), Yadong (64 percent) and Font (51 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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6 burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN 7

The UFC hits our nation’s capital Saturday with a card that features several fights worth your time.

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After a two-week break, the UFC is back in business. And the company returns to action with a slate of fights worth checking out.

A heavyweight matchup between the ageless [autotag]Alistair Overeem[/autotag] and undefeated [autotag]Jairzinho Rozenstruik[/autotag] headlines the final UFC on ESPN card of 2019. The main event is just one of a string of fights that might not have the star power of the month’s biggest event, UFC 245 with it’s three title fights Dec. 14, but nonetheless have meaningful consequences for the career trajectories of the participants and rankings implications for their respective weight classes.

UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

Without further ado, then, here are six burning questions as the road winds toward Saturday night in our nation’s capital.

Can Jairzinho Rozenstruik make the most of his big opportunity?

We suspect this isn’t the way the undefeated Surinamese kickboxer wanted to get his first UFC main-event opportunity. Rozenstruik (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC)
stepped up and accepted the bout with Overeem after Walt Harris had to drop out due to the disappearance of his stepdaughter, who was unfortunately found dead last week.

While everyone’s thoughts remain with the Harris family in its time of sorrow, the sport continues on, and Rozenstruik steps into his chance to make a statement that he’s truly arrived.

Rozenstruik has already demonstrated his veteran kickboxing skills have transferred over nicely from the ring to the cage, a point he’s hammered home each time out so far in the UFC octagon. Rozenstruik has won all three of his UFC fights via KO/TKO, with none of his fights lasting six minutes and his most recent triumph being a 29-second knockout of former UFC heavyweight champ Andrei Arlovski in the intense spotlight of UFC 244.

That’s all well and good, but what happens if he fights someone with the ability to wait him out and drag him into deeper waters? Overeem (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) has gotten clipped a few times, too, but he’s one of the game’s craftiest and adaptable fighters, a cerebral competitor who is not likely to be goaded into many mistakes. A victory over Arlovski is nice on a resume, but he’s a clearly diminished fighter. A win over Overeem, however, would be a statement Rozenstruik is ready for this, and ready to join the elite mix.

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Rob Font: Ricky Simon another tough test, but doesn’t necessarily have a big name

Rob Font acknowledges that Ricky Simon is a tough test, but he’s not the big name he was looking for at UFC on ESPN 7 in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag] acknowledges he’s in for a tough test Saturday, but it’s not against the big name he was looking for.

After a couple of fights fell through, Font (16-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) will finally return to action when he takes on Ricky Simon (15-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) at UFC on ESPN 7. He was initially scheduled to face Cody Stamann at UFC on ESPN+ 22 in June, but Stamann was forced out due to a shoulder injury and replaced by John Lineker.

It was a big opportunity for Font to avenge a previous loss to Lineker, but weight issues forced Lineker out, as well, and Font was removed from the card. Now, almost exactly a year after his most recent outing, Font takes on Simon on the same card as Stamann, a fight that Font was expected to be rebooked for.

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“This is another good one, another good test,” Font told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “It just – he doesn’t necessarily have that big name. But whatever. It is what it is. It’s been hard for me to get a fight. I don’t understand how the Cody fight – we get the Cody fight in Greenville, (S.C.), he pulls out with a shoulder injury, and then they don’t rebook it. I don’t understand. But then they rebook him again on the same card (as me), but a whole different fight, which is – whatever.”

In his most recent outing, Simon saw an eight-fight winning streak snapped when he suffered a first-round TKO loss to Urijah Faber in July.

But Font doesn’t think Simon’s quick loss to Faber takes away from his abilities as a fighter.

“You lose to a legend like that, the way he did – it was real quick, too,” Font said. “It is what it is. He got caught early, got put away, but Faber’s an ‘OG.’ He’s been around, seen it all – so there was nothing that Ricky was going to throw at him that he didn’t see. (It) just wasn’t his night.”

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UFC on ESPN 7 weigh-in video highlights, photos with heavyweight showdown in D.C.

Check out the video highlights and our exclusive photo gallery from Friday’s UFC on ESPN 7 official weigh-ins and final faceoffs in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – For the first time since 2011, the UFC has set up shop in the nation’s capital city this week.

UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

In the main event, Alistair Overeem (45-17 MMA, 10-6 UFC) takes on the undefeated Jairzinho Rozenstruik (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) in a heavyweight showdown that may have title implications.

In the co-feature, Cynthia Calvillo (8-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) meets Marina Rodriguez (12-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) in a catchweight bout. Calvillo on Friday missed weight for the second time in three fights. She came in at 120.5 pounds, 4.5 pounds north of the women’s strawweight limit.

Friday, the fighters made weight in the morning, then squared off shortly after. Check out the highlights in the video above, and don’t miss our exclusive photo gallery below.

Conor McGregor defends Jose Aldo, excited for Brazilian’s bantamweight debut at UFC 245

Coming to Jose Aldo’s defense Friday was the unlikeliest of defenders: former rival and opponent Conor McGregor.

When images of former featherweight champion [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] surfaced Wednesday, many fans took to Twitter to question his decision to drop to bantamweight.

Coming to Aldo’s defense Friday was the unlikeliest of defenders: [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag]. When ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani commented on Aldo’s appearance on Twitter, McGregor voiced support of his former rival’s decision to cut 10 more pounds.

According to McGregor (21-4 MMA, 9-2 UFC), the 33-year-old Brazilian looks “more on top of it” and physically better. Additionally, McGregor sent Aldo well wishes and voiced his excitement to see him compete in the new weight class.

“I disagree here,” McGregor said. “(Aldo) looks more than on top of it in my experienced opinion. Well trimmed in advance, and naturally a lighter man now. This can only be done over a long length of time and with complete dedication. Respect! I wish him well and am excited to see him in this division.”

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Aldo (28-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC) returns to action at UFC 245 when he takes on former UFC bantamweight title challenger Marlon Moraes (22-6-1 MMA, 4-2 UFC). UFC 245 takes place Dec. 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card streams on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and ESPN+.

One month after Aldo fights, McGregor is scheduled to fight for the first time since October 2018. He’ll take on Donald Cerrone in a five-round welterweight main event at UFC 246, which takes place Jan. 18 in Las Vegas.

I disagree here. He looks more than on top of it in my experienced opinion. Well trimmed in advance, and naturally a lighter man now. This can only be done over a long length of time and with complete dedication. Respect! I wish him well and am excited to see him in this division

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 6, 2019

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UFC on ESPN 7’s Tim Means dishes on grueling recovery from his ‘worst injury in 40 fights’

It’s been a long road to UFC DC for Tim Means.

WASHINGTON – The road to recovery has been difficult for UFC welterweight [autotag]Tim Means[/autotag].

After dominating Niko Price for the majority of their March fight, Means was knocked out cold as the clock wound down in the first round.

“If I’ve learned anything over the years and in my past, it’s that I need to be patient.” Means told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “I think the hardest part was just winning the fight. I was dominating Niko. So not getting paid that extra money is a slap in the face.”

Not only did punches cause Means to lose consciousness, it resulted in a serious leg injury due to the way he fell. Means’ leg twisted awkwardly behind him, resulting in a broken leg and ankle. Surgery was needed.

“The athletic trainers and the rehab part of it was a learning experience, as well. It was grueling, painful, and a learning process,” Means said. “Those little ladies were pretty mean. I could dwell on it or move forward. It’s one of those things. (Expletive) happens. It’s my worst injury in 40 fights. What do you do, but get fixed and move forward?”

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Almost nine months later, Means (28-11-1 MMA, 10-8 UFC) will return to the cage to take on longtime UFC veteran Thiago Alves (23-14 MMA, 15-11 UFC) at Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 7 card.

Means expects Alves to target his injured leg – especially when the Brazilian sees the size of his new scar.

“He’s a guy that’s a heavy leg kicker and likes to bust up the legs,” Means said. “I want to put my injury to the test immediately. I can either handle it or I can’t. And there’s no tip-toeing around this stuff. I thought they offered a guy that’s going to come after my injury very well.

“A lot of these guys – everyone knows I was hurt. I have a big old scar down my leg now. So I’m just going to jump right in the mix of it. I’m either all in or I’m not in at all.”

MMA fans have adored Means and Alves for their fighting styles. Throughout the years, both men have accumulated fight night bonuses and thrilled the fans. Means doesn’t expect that to change Saturday night in the nation’s capital.

“It will be a war,” Means said. “It will be a tough three rounds, but I’ve got to knock out Thiago and send a statement.”

UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

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UFC DC’s Ben Rothwell says much of his career has lacked happiness – except one thing

Ben Rothwell’s professional MMA tenure has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.

WASHINGTON – [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag]’s professional MMA tenure has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.

Successes and failures, post-fight promos and suspensions – Rothwell (36-12 MMA, 6-6 UFC) has seen highs and lows. But according to the UFC heavyweight, the highs haven’t really been that high.

Ahead of his UFC on ESPN 7 bout Saturday, Rothwell was asked at a pre-fight media day at what point in his career he was the happiest. His answer was somewhat unexpected.

“Happy: It’s not really something I experience much,” Rothwell said. “I look at my life as a lot of mistakes and a lot of failure. I’ve been fighting my whole life. Some of my earliest memories have been fighting, whether it’s been fighting off bullies or fighting off disgruntled parents. It’s just a tough thing to think about, happiness in the sport. And I’m OK with that because it’s part of my driving force.”

So why does Rothwell do what he does? Why does he decide to compete in a profession that doesn’t provide him with happiness? The Wisconsinite said having a chip on his shoulder drives him to prove something to the world.

“I don’t do this for happiness,” Rothwell said. “I do this because there is something driving me inside. It’s something that goes greater than just getting my hand raised. I have something to prove. I have something to prove that’s going to go outside of me fighting just in a cage.

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If Rothwell does experience micro-moments of happiness, he said he attributes his joy to the fans. Random strangers will come up to Rothwell and ask him for an autograph or a picture – that’s the closest Rothwell has come to pure happiness during his MMA career.

“Still until this day, I can’t believe the fanbase and the people that reach out, and the people that are inspired and excited to have me,” Rothwell said. “You want to talk about happiness? It’s those few moments where people come up and ask for an autograph.

“I’m in awe that they want a picture or an autograph. They tell me how much it means to them to watch me fight and how excited they get. I’ll tell you, that means something to me – something I can’t put a price tag on.”

Relative to his scale of having fun, Rothwell indicated he is feeling better entering his UFC DC matchup against Stefan Struve (29-11 MMA, 13-9 UFC). It’s his second UFC bout since returning from a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) suspension.

“I just kind of had to get over everything,” Rothwell said. “That’s what I do. I pick myself up and carry on. It’s part of being a mixed martial artist – a lot of ups and downs, especially in my life. I have a long trail of failure, but somehow I’ve done enough. I’ve had some victories and I’m still standing here. I took the time to make the appropriate changes, and I’m ready for Saturday.”

UFC on ESPN 7 takes place Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The main card airs on ESPN following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.

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